Sunrise Sunset

Fri., Dec. 30 7:08 4:19

Sat., Dec. 31 7:08 4:20

Sun., Jan. 1 7:08 4:21

Mon., Jan. 2 7:08 4:22

Tues., Jan. 3 7:08 4:23

Wed., Jan. 4 7:08 4:24

Thurs., Jan. 5 7:08 4:25

Fri., Jan. 6 7:08 4:26

The gibbous moon appears close to the bright planet Jupiter on New Year’s Eve. It is even closer to the big planet on Monday night. The two appear high in the eastern sky after sunset and high in the south by midnight.

The two are moving through the zodiacal constellation Pisces. The moon will be in the constellation for only a day or two more. Jupiter spends the year in the constellation.

Venus is high in the southwestern sky after sunset. The planet is so easy to spot compared to a month ago. Venus continues to grow closer and brighter.

Mars rises in the eastern sky shortly before midnight. The red planet has grown in brilliance and it is now moving through the zodiacal constellation Virgo.

There will be a short meteor shower on Wednesday morning, but will only be visible to those up early. From about 2 a.m. to dawn, the earth passes through a thin cloud of space debris which produces the Quadrantid meteor shower. Some astronomers hope for a good showing, although past experience has not been so grand.

The meteors will appear to radiate out of the high northeast. In the past some viewers have been able to count as many as 40 in an hour.

M.A.L.